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Rangers add slugging catcher Kyle Higashioka on highly affordable contract

The backup catcher position was one of the many question marks going into free agency for the Texas Rangers. Last night, the Rangers announced they signed Kyle Higashioka to a two-year deal with a mutual option for a third. Here's more on the latest signing.

ByBrian Sweet|
Oct 2, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka (20) hits a solo home run during the second inning of game two in the Wildcard round for the 2024 MLB Playoffs against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
Oct 2, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Kyle Higashioka (20) hits a solo home run during the second inning of game two in the Wildcard round for the 2024 MLB Playoffs against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

The Texas Rangers are preparing for the Winter Meetings, which will be next week from December 9-12. This is when some of the free agency signings might start to pick up, as the GMs will all be meeting together. However, some free agent talks are already underway. I know everyone is wondering where Juan Soto is going to end up next season. Could he go back to the Yankees, or will he sign with their rivals, the Boston Red Sox? We will find out where he ends up before too long.

The Texas Rangers interrupted that conversation and made their first free agent signing Monday night. Late in the evening, Dallas Morning News Reporter Evan Grant announced that the Rangers hadsigned catcher Kyle Higashioka to a two-year deal with a mutual option for a third year. Prior to the signing, the catcher position seemed high up on the to-do list for Chris Young this offseason. Jonah Heim is not going to play 162 straight games of baseball. Someone needs to give him a break here and there throughout the season. Higashioka will be that slugger.

Rangers sign Kyle Higashioka: Full Contract Details

Higashioka played with the San Deigo Padres last season. He finished the season with a .220 batting average, 17 HR, and 45 RBI. With how good of a veteran catcher he is, fans should be ecstatic that the Rangers didn't break the bank with the signing. He will make $5.75 million in the first year and $6.75 million in the final guaranteed year. If he and the Rangers decide they want the third year, he would make nearly 20 million dollars with them over the three seasons.

This signing will not end Jonah Heim's time in Texas. During Tuesday's press conference, General Manager Ross Fenstermaker said that Heim and Higashioka will get an even amount of playing time next season. I also think this will help light a fire under Heim at spring training after how he ended last season. There's nothing like a healthy competition between players. Higashioka's signing won't be the only move the Rangers make this offseason. There are still other positions on the team that need to be fixed.

The Rangers will now focus on the closing pitcher position. Kirby Yates is an unrestricted free agent, and after last season, it might be hard to re-sign him to another deal. The Rangers have two ways to go about this: internally or externally. It will be interesting to see who else the Rangers sign this winter. The 2025 MLB season is getting closer and closer with each passing day. Chris Young is working hard to create a team that can return to the postseason and compete for the World Series again.

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